Psychological - Eysencks Theory

Question 1

3 types of personality dimensions proposed 1947

Answer 1

1. Introversion/ extroversion E
2. Neuroticism/ stability N
3. Psychoticism/ sociability P

The dimensions combine to form a variety of personality types

Question 2

Criminals personality type

Answer 2

Neurotics - unstable & prone to overreact
Extroverts - seek arousal & engage in dangerous activities
Psychotics - aggressive & lack empathy

Question 3

Innate biological basis for personality type

Answer 3

• Extroverts - under active NS seeking excitement & engage in risk
• Neurotics - high level of reactivity in the sympathetic NS - respond quickly to situations
• psychotics - suggested to have higher levels of testosterone

Question 4

Role of socialisation

Answer 4

• Eynesck saw that offending behaviour is immature & selfish
• during socialisation children are taught to delay gratification & move socially orientated
• people w high E + N scores had nervous systems making it difficult for them to learn
• they’re less likely to learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses

Question 5

How can you measure personality

Answer 5

• Eysenck developed the Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ)
• a psychological test locating respondents along the E, N, P dimensions to determine personality type

Question 6

Strength of Eysenck criminal personality
- supporting theory

Answer 6

• compared 2070 male prisoner scores in the EPQ test w 2422 male control group
• on all measures E, N, P, the prisoners scored higher than the control
• agrees w predictions of the offenders rate higher than average

Question 7

Limitation of Eysencks criminal personality
- view all offending is explained by personality

Answer 7

• Moffit Distinguished between offending only in adolescence (limited) + which continues into adulthood
• considers Persistence in offending behaviour to be reciprocal process between personality traits & environmental reactions
• more complex than Eysenck

Question 8

Limitation of Eysenck criminal personality
- cultural factors neglected

Answer 8

Barlon & Halonchock
• studied Hispanic + African-American offenders in NYC prison dividing them into 6 groups based on offending history/offences
• all 6 groups were less extroverted than a control group
• proves the difference in culture compared to eysencks investigation
• questions Eysenck generalisability